The first ammonia-ready Aurora Class PCTC is here

Oslo-listed car carrier owner Höegh Autoliners has taken delivery of Höegh Aurora, the first of its 12 Aurora Class vessels.

The 9,100 CEU car carrier, celebrated as the world’s largest and most environmentally friendly, was named at a ceremony at China Merchants Heavy Industry’s yard in Jiangsu, China.

Höegh Aurora, equipped with DNV’s “ammonia ready” and “methanol ready” notations, is the first in the PCTC segment capable of operating on carbon-neutral ammonia, the company said. The vessel aims to cut carbon emissions per car transported by up to 58% from the current industry average.

Höegh Autoliners has a total of 12 Aurora Class vessels on order. The first 8 Aurora Class vessels will run on LNG, and they are designed to be converted to run on ammonia. The ammonia engine technology is expected to be ready in 2026, and Höegh Autoliners believes this will allow the company to build the last 4 vessels to run on ammonia from the start.

“With Höegh Aurora and the Aurora Class, we are pioneering efforts to combat pollution in a hard-to-abate segment. The Aurora Class embodies the change our industry needs,” Höegh Autoliners CEO Andreas Enger said.

Höegh Aurora features strengthened decks to carry electric vehicles on all 14 decks. It is fitted with 1,500 square meters of solar panels, reducing electricity production from generators by up to 35%, and is equipped for emissions-free port operations with electric shore power.

According to Höegh Autoliners, the CII, or carbon intensity indicator, of the Aurora Class is 58% lower compared to a standard 6500 CEU PCTC (Cat 1). The reduction is attributed to improved efficiency in the hull, machinery, and propeller, as well as LNG propulsion.

Looking at absolute carbon emissions per nautical mile, the Aurora Class is approximately 38% ahead of a comparable vessel in Cat 1, considering Tank-To-Wake (TTW) metrics. For Well-To-Wake (WTW) and CO2 equivalent, the CII improvement is around 36%, with an absolute carbon emission reduction of approximately 23%.

It is estimated that the Aurora Class will reduce carbon emissions by approximately 10,000 MT of CO2 in one year (TTW) and around 6,200 MT CO2eq (WTW).

Photo credit @Höegh Autoliners

“We have progressed from the initial idea to having the finished vessel in commercial operation in under four years—a record speed that attests to the exceptional effort from our employees and partners. Together, we will not rest until we achieve net zero operations,” Sebjørn Dahl, COO of Höegh Autoliners, said.

The Aurora Class results from years of collaboration with top industry partners, including China Merchants Heavy Industries, Kongsberg Maritime, DNV, DeltaMarin, among others.

 Höegh Aurora, which will be registered and sail under the Norwegian flag, will commence commercial operations on Thursday, embarking on her maiden voyage to Japan.

So far, China Merchants Heavy Industry has launched three vessels from the series, including Höegh Aurora. Three other PCTCs are under construction at the pier and another three are in two different dry docks.